1 [count] a : a curved part or shape made when something long and thin (such as a rope or thread) bends so that it touches or crosses over itself
▪ a closed loop of rope ▪ a wire with a loop at the end ▪ a loop of string/thread
b : something that is shaped like a loop
▪ They rowed along a loop in the river. ▪ The road formed a loop around the pond. ▪ letters formed with lots of loops
c : a ring or curved piece used for holding something
▪ a belt loop 2 [count] : an action in which an airplane flies in an upright circle perpendicular to the ground
▪ The pilot did/performed a loop. — see also loop the loop at ²loop 3 [count] : a piece of film or tape with the ends joined together so that the same pictures or sounds are repeated continuously ; also : a recording that is repeated continuously
▪ The computer-generated images are shown on a continuous loop. 4 [count] computers : a series of instructions that are repeated in a computer program until a specified condition is met 5 the loop : a group of people who know about or have influence or control over something — usually used in the phrases in the loop and out of the loop ▪ She wants to stay in the loop as these changes are being considered. ▪ He claims that he was kept out of the loop when the decision to sell the company was being made.